Bicycle Ministry
The Toymakers expanded their toy mission to include the refurbishment of donated and discarded bicycles. Volunteers repair and rebuild the donated bicycles and recycle them to needy children and adults in the area.
Clark & Martino partners with ToyMakers to donate bicycles and safety helmets to local children in need.
TAMPA (December 20, 2011) – Clark & Martino, P.A. and ToyMakers of East Lake have partnered together to provide bicycles and safety helmets to local children in need this holiday season. An initial delivery of 12 helmets and bicycles was delivered on Saturday, December 17th at the Union Street United Methodist Church in Clearwater, FL.
ToyMakers of East Lake is a non-profit organization that restores used bicycles to top condition and donates them to underprivileged children throughout the Tampa Bay area. When local law firm Clark & Martino discovered this initiative, they thought it would be a great opportunity to promote and encourage head-injury safety by donating new helmets with the bikes.
“We are very excited to partner with the ToyMakers of East Lake on this initiative,” said Dan Clark, Partner at Clark & Martino. “We truly believe in promoting safety through proper precautions, and we are grateful to help these children enjoy a happier and safer holiday season.”
ToyMakers of East Lake was just as enthusiastic about the new partnership. “Under the able leadership of Trevor Charlton, who founded the ToyMaker's bicycle initiative, we've been delivering restored bikes to Tampa Bay children for several years now; including safety helmets is a natural fit and we sincerely appreciate the partnership with Clark & Martino in this effort," said Bob Helms, President ToyMakers of East Lake.
About Clark & Martino: Clark & Martino, P.A., is a nationally recognized trial law firm specializing in personal injury. For more than 30 years, Clark & Martino has practiced in all areas of personal injury law and civil litigation. More information is available at Clark & Martino, P.A..
Read article here Clark & Martino partners with ToyMakers.
Bicycles Going to Haiti
On February 21, 2010, 11 bicycles were loaded into a container at Wellspring United Methodist Church to go directly to Haiti with a full load of food, clothing, and blankets. Initially, it was thought there would not be enough room for any bikes in this shipment. When room was found, the dash was on to get them to the container.
Within the same week, we connected with Magical Charters in Odessa. Magical Charters runs bus tours and was collecting supplies to go to Haiti. They work with Agape Ministries in Venice, FL, affiliated with the Agape Ministry in Haiti.
In order to facilitate shipment of donated materials, it is essential to have a source on the ground to take responsibility for the items shipped over there.
On March 9, 2010, two of their coaches set off for Venice, full of aid, plus 10 adult bikes donated by our Bicycle Ministry. Two days later, they were loaded onto a chartered flight to Puerto Prince, by Apage Air, and are now in use. 
Kassie Newman from Magical Charters reported that aid workers were dancing in the streets when they heard they were getting these bicycles because transport is very limited. Agape Ministries has asked for 26 more bicycles. In that same month, the Bicycle Ministry refurbished 21 adult bikes and sent them on to Haiti.